Simcha, meaning “joy” in Hebrew, is a time for believers to celebrate the joy we have in Messiah. This retreat is for Jewish believers, those connected to Chosen People Ministries and Messianic congregations, and all who love the Jewish people. Whether you are part of a Messianic congregation or a local church in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, Simcha is a great opportunity for individuals and families to gather for worship, teaching, and workshops that deepen our walk with the Lord. The weekend includes children’s programs and a dedicated teen track with its own dorm, activities, and sessions that follow the same theme as the adults. We know this time together in nature will provide much-needed refreshment! 

• We offer housing options for individuals, couples, double occupancy with separate beds, family housing and a teen dorm. All on-campus housing includes accommodations for three nights, meals for Friday through Monday morning, all main sessions for all ages, and access to the conference center grounds for activities and pool time.
• Off-campus guests for the full weekend get full access to the events and conference center activities. Meals include dinner on Friday, lunch and dinner on Saturday and Sunday, and breakfast on Monday. Off-campus housing allows commuters from the local area to come and enjoy the weekend with us. If we are fully booked, this option allows guests to find housing accommodations at local hotels and still enjoy Simcha with us!
• Day guests can choose to come for a full or half day of events. A full day includes two main sessions, workshop attendance, activities on the conference grounds like the pool, and two meals (lunch and dinner). Children who attend as day guests can participate in their programs during main sessions and childcare is provided during the workshops for adults to attend. Half-day guests can enjoy one main session, one meal, and access to the conference grounds. Half-day registration does not include workshop sessions.

This Year’s Theme: Spiritual Warfare

Special Speaker: Clinton E. Arnold

Clinton E. Arnold is Research Professor of New Testament at Talbot School of Theology (Biola University) in La Mirada, California, USA. He earned his PhD at Aberdeen University in Scotland (1986). He served as the Dean of Talbot for ten years (2012-2022) and is the past President of the Evangelical Theological Society (2011). Clint is the editor of the 20-volume Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament for which he wrote the volume on Ephesians. He has recently published a commentary on Colossians for the Word Biblical Commentary series. He is also the author of 3 Crucial Questions about Spiritual Warfare (Baker) and Powers of Darkness (Intervarsity Press). Clint serves as a preaching/teaching pastor at Church Project Orange County (in southern California). He is married to his wife, Barbara, and they have three adult sons and three grandchildren.

Discussion Schedule:

Friday: What Is Spiritual Warfare? (varied passages, esp. Eph 6:10-20)
Saturday: What Demons Can and Cannot Do (varied passages)
Sunday: Closing Windows of Vulnerability (varied passages)

Worship Leader: Sarah Ryan

Sarah Ryan and her family live in Southern California, and serve with Chosen People Ministries. Sarah made aliyah as a young adult, and worked as a teacher in Israel for eight years prior to meeting her husband Joseph. Joseph and Sarah settled in Brooklyn, NY where they started their family and served with Chosen People Ministries for eight years. They now reside in California and enjoy hosting Israelis and helping others to do the same.